Stanford was disappointed but not entirely discouraged when Durham Smythe committed to the Longhorns over the Cardinal last spring.

Although it missed out on the commitment of one of the nation's best tight ends - to the in-state school, no less - Stanford didn't give up on recruiting Smythe. Cardinal recruiting coordinator (and Texas regional recruiter) Mike Sanford stayed in touch with Smythe and his family for the duration of his recruitment.

And now, roughly nine months after Smythe initially spurned Stanford, the Cardinal is in position to possibly convince the talented tight end to play his college ball in Palo Alto.